THE SPOT

Tag: food

  • Heidelberg’s Finest: The Best Solo Date Spot in Heidelberg’s Bahnstadt

    Heidelberg’s Finest: The Best Solo Date Spot in Heidelberg’s Bahnstadt

    Looking for where to eat in Heidelberg? This personal review of NEO Heidelberg in Bahnstadt covers food, ambiance, location, and the perfect solo self date experience. –>If you ever asked me where it was worth getting even just a small meal in Heidelberg, my answer would always be NEO Heidelberg. Located in Heidelberg’s newest and most modern quarter — the Bahnstadt — Neo charms you with a modern but comfortable ambiance, food from all over the world and, best of all, steaks displayed right at the entrance.

    THE SPOT – NEO Heidelberg, Bahnstadt

    NEO is located right next to Halle 02, one of Heidelberg’s most popular party spots. If you don’t pay attention, you might actually miss the wonderful restaurant, tucked away close to Heidelberg’s main station.

    So of course, I made my way there — because if there’s one thing your girl loves, it’s a good cocktail and great food.

    Late as I always was, I ran to catch the bus. In heels, I might add. Yes, I will absolutely pat myself on the shoulder for that. Out of breath, but I caught it. Nice.

    From where I lived back then, I had to switch to tram 22 to get as close as possible to the restaurant. Another 5–10 minutes and I arrived at NEO. Or so I thought.

    It was evening, I had my glasses on, but as always my sense of orientation was nowhere to be found. After walking past the main entrance three times, I finally made it inside. The steaks greeted me on my right (like Captain America — IYKYK), and to my left a modern, beautifully decorated restaurant with big lights and lots of tables.

    I was welcomed by one of the servers, told her I had a reservation, and was shown to my table.

    THE FOOD – What I Ate at NEO Heidelberg

    I opened the menu and immediately fell into a world of culinary diversity — sushi, steak, pasta, you name it. And then I saw it: parmesan fries with truffles. Game over.

    I ordered those, plus a blueberry cocktail. Don’t ask me what was in it — it didn’t taste amazing, but we move.

    For my main dish, I chose the chicken with vegetables.

    And the food? Divine. The chicken was tender, the fries perfectly crunchy, and the vegetables hit that sweet spot between chewy and not overcooked. Overall: 10/10.

    Best self-date ever.

    Neo — and that self-date — will forever have a place in my heart. If you’re looking for a restaurant in Heidelberg that’s perfect for a solo date, great food, and a modern atmosphere, NEO in Bahnstadt is it

  • How West Africa Helped Me Redefine Myself: Meet Togo, My Motherland I

    How West Africa Helped Me Redefine Myself: Meet Togo, My Motherland I

    Now you see me, now you don’t

    I kinda, sorta disappeared. Where was I? Living life. Actually, more like existing. I didn’t do anything exciting. Kept working, kept applying for other jobs, and kept getting rejection. So, you know… typical going-through-the-motions stuff.

    But I’m back—by popular demand (not). I took another trip, one that had been long overdue, one I could previously only dream about.

    I finally discovered my roots. I went to Togo. And this time, I interrupted my regularly scheduled solo trip to embark on this journey with my partner.

    Finding Togo

    Not sure where Togo is? Let me help you.

    Togo is a West African country bordering Burkina Faso, Benin, and one of the more popular West African countries, Ghana. The country itself is really small, with its coastline and width only stretching 52 km. But it has a lot to offer—from beautiful golden beaches in the south, to the mesmerizing waterfalls in Kpalimé, to elephants that can be found in the north.

    Togo is technically a jack of all trades when it comes to landscapes, having everything that any backpacker or regular tourist desires.

    Created by ChatGPT

    A Home I Never Experienced

    But for me, Togo was more than that. It was home I had never experienced. A home that I never breathed in or truly looked at. I had family there—siblings, cousins, aunts, uncles. But all I knew about Togo was wrapped up in the tales of my father and mother.

    Stories of how my mom, basically aged 12, slept at burial sites. How my father had worked at Foyer des Marines. How my cousins became mothers or fathers.

    My personal story started in 1998, when my mom gave birth to me shortly after joining my father in Germany in December 1997. I could only ever imagine what the mysterious country my family called home could offer. I was always interested because my mom ran a very Togolese household.

    We ate Tapioca Zugbon (porridge made from ground manioc), Akoumé (a cornmeal dish), or the very popular Fufu (made from manioc, plantain, or yam). I remember the trips my parents made each month, buying half of Strasbourg, so we could continue living very Togolese lives.

    The Journey Begins

    After a lot of back and forth… a lot of tears… and lots of money, I awoke at 3 a.m. CET to be transported to Frankfurt Airport. Next stop: Lomé, Togo. Well, technically Brussels first, but eventually Togo.

    We touched down in Togo at 6 p.m. The immigration process was smooth, and after a small wait, I had my baggage. After a short stroll, I embraced my cousins.

    For the first time, I couldn’t believe it. I was finally standing where the story of my family began. Keep tuned for more about my journey and the stories I discovered along the way!

    Happy Holidays and a happy new year!

    Picture of Togo’s parliament located in Lome (capital)

  • Chania – Balos Lagoon and Gramvousa island: Blue Water, Blue Skies and Blue Bridges

    Today was supposed to be my day.

    My colleague had raved about the Balos Lagoon and the island of Gramvousa — a must-see off the coast of the Gramvousa Peninsula. Gramvousa is home to a stunning 16th-century Venetian fortress, while Balos Lagoon is what I imagine heaven looks like: vivid blue water, endless skies, and the kind of heat that makes you feel deliciously alive.

    Naturally, I was sold. I booked the trip online via Blue Daily Cruises. But—here’s a tip—double-check everything. I paid with my credit card (yep, that’s the only option I had), but never received the ticket PDF. Thankfully, it wasn’t a huge hassle. Those €30-something were absolutely worth it. But more on that in a bit.

    To get to the ferry at Kissamos Port, I also booked a bus ticket from Chania via KTEL. Again… money withdrawn, but no ticket emailed to me. Strike two. I got up early, full of excitement, and started walking to the bus station—only to be sent on a wild goose chase by Google Maps. By the time I got there, the bus was pulling out, practically waving me goodbye.

    I stood in line, sweaty and defeated, and bought a new ticket at the counter. Then I bought another one online just to be sure. Eventually, I was on the next bus, huffing and puffing but at least moving forward.

    Onward to Gramvousa

    After an hour’s ride, we arrived at Kissamos Port. From there, it was a quick walk to the ferry. I grabbed a seat in the middle—couldn’t really take great photos, but that didn’t matter.

    About 30 minutes later, we docked at Gramvousa Island. The view? Breathtaking. But here’s the thing: for the first time in my life, I wished I was stranded there alone. A whole ferry-load of people swarmed the place, and it was a little overwhelming for my introverted self.

    Some of them hiked up to the Venetian fortress. I wandered off in the other direction, chasing a little peace and quiet.

    Gramvousa – alone time
    Gramvousa with people

    As you can see it there were many people.

    Eventually, I joined the crowd in the water. But like the beach in Chania, this one was stoney. And I mean, stoney AF. I fell on my knee twice. Fully embarrassed. Laughed it off. What else could I do?

    The Magic of Balos Lagoon

    After two hours on Gramvousa, we set sail to Balos Lagoon. And wow. The water was bluer than Aaron Pierre’s eyes — and if you know, you know. It was pure, visual serenity.

    I walked, I sat, I floated. Around me: people laughing, splashing, living. And there I was, alone in my beautiful solitude, loving every minute of it.

    Balos Lagoon

    Excuse this pic, but the quality is bad because I snapped the pic in my water resistant phone case.

    On the way back, I grabbed a spot in the sun and just soaked it all in. The sea, the heat, the wind — sometimes a little too much, but in Crete, even too much is just right.

    Ending the Day Right

    Back in Chania, I wrapped up the day with dinner at a restaurant near the harbor — my favorite spot. There’s nothing like good food after a day like this: messy, chaotic, beautiful.

    I this is the penultimate day that I can tell you about. Then we will move on to my trio to the Elafonissi Beach before ending the Chania series.

  • From Heavy Hearts to Full Plates: A Journey of Self-Celebration

    A couple of years ago, I was crying in my bed, feeling like a loser. I hadn’t gotten the things I wanted, hadn’t found contentment, and life felt like a continuous spiral of unhappiness.

    I had just gone through a mentally draining, manipulative situationship. One night, after another bout of loneliness, I swore to myself: I would learn to enjoy my own company.

    I don’t always like myself. I don’t always enjoy my thoughts or how my brain works. But I decided I would damn well try to make the best of it.

    I kept searching online for an answer to the heavy heart in my chest and the sinking feeling in my gut. But the loneliness stayed, even in crowds — laughing among friends, sitting in class, waiting at the doctor’s office. It was there at dawn, dusk, night, morning.

    Some said I needed a boyfriend. Maybe they were partly right. But male attention always felt more like a band-aid than surgery — it never really touched the wound underneath.

    What was I supposed to do? Where was I supposed to go?

    That’s when the idea of self-dating crossed my mind. So, ready, set, Google.

    Oh man, I found a plethora of ideas. Single people, formerly married people, even married people — all talking about self-love, self-celebration, and self-finding.

    And honestly, what could be more important than finding, loving, and celebrating yourself?

    While I’m still learning how to love myself, I have found ways to celebrate myself.

    Join me on my adventures in self-celebration.

    First things first: food. Because what is life without food? Plain, boring, and barely tolerable.

    I started looking for restaurants in my city — Heidelberg. (Yes, the Heidelberg where so many people have lost their hearts; there’s even a whole song about it.)

    The first spot I chose for my culinary journey: Salerno’s (Brückenstraße 38, 69120 Heidelberg).
    Located in Neuenheim, Salerno’s is known for fresh, flavorful food and a charming atmosphere.

    I made a reservation online. And then I panicked.
    Would I look stupid all by myself? Would people stare at me, pity me?

    I told my therapist, who in her free-spirited way simply said: “You should still try it.”

    And so, I did.

    (As you can probably tell from my solo travel adventures, I have never once regretted it.)

    At Salerno’s, I had a pizza, a bit of wine. The waiter seemed perplexed that I wanted to sit in a corner alone, but funnily enough, he never forgot me — he came by quickly and often.

    I sat there, looking around at all the groups of people.
    And for once, I felt something different — gratitude.
    Maybe even happiness?

    I was proud.
    Proud that I went through with it.
    Proud that I didn’t let loneliness drown me, even if just for a twenty-minute dinner.

    I lived to see another day.
    And I’ll live to see many more.

  • Chania – A Birthday Glow & A Sunset Flow

    Day 3 in Chania was as beautiful as my birthday on the 16th.

    First thing I did when I woke up? Straight to the beach. No breakfast, no second thoughts. Crete is full of beautiful places, and today’s choice was Kladissos Beach — about 30 minutes on foot from the Venetian Harbor.

    Recommendation number one: don’t walk in the hot sun. Apparently, 10 a.m. in August in Crete is hot enough to turn my usually sun-loving self into a sweating, disheveled mess. Not cute. Not even a little. But I powered through, because vibes.

    Honestly, the walk was worth it. The beach was basically empty. Just one other person there. I spread out on my towel, let my body bake a bit, then eventually went into the water.

    And here comes recommendation number two: if you go to a stony beach, make sure your feet aren’t sensitive little drama queens. Mine are. I stumbled and fell multiple times trying to get out of the water. Graceful? No. Entertaining? Probably. Also, heads up — once other people started showing up, there were a few surprise boobs and butts around. So yeah. Be mentally prepared.

    Anyway. Cinematic moment time — look at this view:

    Kladissos Beach

    Who wouldn’t enjoy the pointy stones here?

    I slept again, because? What the hell else would I do?

    After a few hours, I made my way back to Chania, wandered around looking for a supermarket, got some bread and salami, made myself a sad little sandwich, and watched Modern Family.

    Then I passed out. Because… what else is there to do, really?

    Woke up later with a bit more energy — today was boat ride day! A sunset one. Fancy. I got ready fast, threw on a dress, and headed to the Harbor. Put the address into Google Maps, and of course, it sent me to the completely wrong side. Love that for me. By the time I figured it out and speed-walked all the way back, I barely made it.

    Side note: stop using Google Maps for walking in Chania. I swear I get more lost with it than without it.

    The boat ride itself was honestly beautiful. Warm air, soft wind, sunset glow, and even a little bit of history. The captain told us about how sailors used to quarantine on a nearby island before they were allowed into the Venetian Harbor. Kinda eerie, kinda cool.

    Took too many photos. Felt like a movie.

    Sunset on the boat ride
    Boat ride
    Chania’s Venetian Harbor at night

    When we got back, I went to get dinner and finally — Moussaka. The most Greek meal ever. And it was a full-blown experience. Layers of flavor, spices, vegetables, comfort, happiness — all baked together. I actually might’ve ascended for a second.

    What luck!

    The drink made for sinners – on a diet- Strawberry Daiquiri

    Then came the final mission of the night: Strawberry Daiquiri. I searched. I found. It was half the price of yesterday’s and tasted like redemption.

    That’s it. Short and sweet. Very well-fed.
    See you soon.

  • Chania – Part 2 Freedom

    So, here we go!
    Second day in Chania. I woke up in my king-sized bed. I loved it. It was almost 8 a.m. on a Monday. The 16th, to be exact — my birthday. With immense pride, I made my way to the bathroom.

    Sidenote: Did I tell you that you’re not allowed to flush toilet paper in Greece?
    Sorry, for the sidenote.

    Anyway — on my first day in paradise, I decided to explore Chania a bit. But of course, it wouldn’t be a great holiday without a beach. So I Googled the closest beach to me and found…

    Paradise…

    I enjoyed it so much, even though I’d gotten up at 7 a.m., got ready, and walked there in 10 to 15 minutes. On the walk to the beach, I just took in the infrastructure, the houses, and the apartment buildings. So different, yet so beautiful. I loved every step, every flower — hell, even every dog dookie I found on the path to the beach.

    I arrived around 8 a.m. and simply… chilled. After all the exams, the stress — and best of all, on my birthday — I just enjoyed my own company. No men, no friends, no family. Just me. Just what I needed.

    I took in the sun and even went into the water. To make sure no one would steal my phone, money, or hotel key, I had bought a little phone case I could take into the ocean.

    I stayed until around 10, when the families, couples, and other tourists started making their way to the beach. I quickly packed my bag and made my way back to the hotel.

    Goodbye, Nea Chora Beach.

    Fast forward

    Fast forward.
    Hello, breakfast. After that amazing time at the ocean, I finally had to eat. I went to the hotel’s recommendation — Phyllo, located just a couple of minutes away. It was EPIC. I chose coffee, even though I don’t usually drink it, but since I got up early on not only my birthday and the first day of vacation — I deserved it.

    What I also deserved? That lovely pita bread sandwich I had. The flavors were breathtaking.
    Just look at this:

    I devoured it quickly and, honestly, left the restaurant as fast as I could. It was a small establishment with way too many customers. I was full, so what now?

    Back to the hotel, of course. Because what else is there to do on holiday but sleep?

    An hour later, I was awoken by the cleaning lady. She wanted to clean, so I had to leave again. Where to go now — half asleep at that?

    I decided to walk to the harbor and join the rest of the tourists. I took as many pictures as I could, stood on the observation platform, walked a lot, and just soaked in the Vitamin D. I swear I could feel the sun building up in my skin. And I mean, who wouldn’t love all this beauty?

    An hour later, I was awoken by the cleaning lady. She wanted to clean, so I had to leave again. Where to go now — half asleep at that?

    I decided to walk to the harbor and join the rest of the tourists. I took as many pictures as I could, stood on the observation platform, walked a lot, and just soaked in the Vitamin D. I swear I could feel the sun building up in my skin. And I mean, who wouldn’t love all this beauty?

    After about an hour, I made my way back to the hotel. The cleaning lady had left, I laid down, turned on another episode of Modern Family, and slept a little more.

    A couple of hours later, I woke up to music and chatter from the streets. I got up, put on some makeup, and picked my most beautiful dress. I wanted to celebrate myself.

    I walked onto the busy streets and found a restaurant that I quite liked.

    My birthday dinner… Tzatziki

    Greek Tzatziki

    And the main dish was the meat-filled pita dish called Spanakopita. It was delicious fresh, seasoned and very enjoyable. YUMMY. I ate like a Queen and felt like it as well.

    And for the main dish, a meat-filled pita — Spanakopita. It was delicious, fresh, seasoned, and very enjoyable. YUMMY. I ate like a queen and felt like one too.

    Afterwards, I left the restaurant on a mission: to find my favorite drink — a Strawberry Daiquiri. My favorite bar back home didn’t have a mixer anymore, so they stopped making it. Sad. So I walked around the harbor and was talked up by a host — as is common in many Southern European countries. After he said they did have Strawberry Daiquiris, I sat down and waited for my favorite drink.

    I got it. I enjoyed it. And then… almost cried.
    The drink was 12€.
    I will never sit down in a restaurant again and order something without asking how much it costs or at least checking the menu.

    A very expensive birthday for a semi-broke student.

    A very expensive birthday for a semi-broke student.

    Here it is, the drink that broke my bank account.
    Red as the devil.

    And that was it — my birthday, and my freedom day in Chania.

    More to come!

  • Chania – My first solo flight

    You probably don’t know me, which is why you wouldn’t know how I feel about flying. Let me tell you—flying scares the bejesus out of me. I hate it. I hate the lack of control, the noise, the shaking… everything.

    But, during my “year of new adventures,” I decided it was time to grow a pair. So, I booked a flight to Greece. Not just anywhere in Greece—Chania.

    Chania is located on the Greek island of Crete and has always been a tourist favorite. And it’s not just because of the locals’ friendliness (though that’s a bonus). Its location in the south of Crete makes it perfect for sun-lovers, beach fans, and even hikers. With a picture-perfect backdrop of both mountains and beaches, Crete has everything—cities, nature, history, vibes. That’s why it’s one of Greece’s most visited spots every year.

    So, there I was, in the middle of a lecture, browsing hotel options (because of course). That’s when I stumbled across Shalom Luxury Rooms Kondilaki—a cozy little hotel right in the center of Chania. For port-lovers, the Old Venetian Harbor is just five minutes away on foot. The rooms are clean, have a cute little fridge in the corner, and everything in town is within easy reach.

    Room: booked. But swim there? Nope. So a few weeks later, again in the middle of another lecture (clearly my productivity was at its peak), I looked up flights. The cheapest one was over 600€—because, surprise, I had waited until summer. Gulp. Paid with PayPal 30-day like most of my shopping adventures at the time. YOLO, right?

    Fast forward—I made it. I thanked God I didn’t die in that death machine they call a plane. I couldn’t believe it—I had actually done it. I was proud. Terrified still, but proud.

    Now back to Chania.

    A cab driver—kindly arranged by the hotel—picked me up. She was sweet and tried to make small talk, but the only things on my mind were food and a nap. We got close to the hotel, but the last stretch I had to walk. No biggie—it was only about five minutes.

    Unfortunately, my room wasn’t ready yet. So, in a fog of travel anxiety and hunger, I plopped myself down at the first restaurant I saw. In hindsight, that place looked like it hadn’t been cleaned since 1987, and I probably risked some kind of fryer-related illness… but at that moment, I did not care.

    After eating, I wandered to the old port like a zombie from The Walking Dead and sat there until I finally got the call—my room was ready.

    I rushed over, threw off my clothes, and dove into bed. Of course, just then the lovely cleaning lady knocked on my door while I was half-covered. I scrambled to throw something on… only to find out she came bearing wine. A truly nice gesture.

    At last—Chania. What a view, right?

    After a much-needed nap and a few episodes of Modern Family on Netflix, it was finally time for dinner. I headed into the music and hustle of the Old Town and chose the first inviting spot I saw. No idea what it was called, but the food? Incredible.

    I love seafood, so that’s what I got—plus a huge salad. Honestly, if I had jumped into the ocean afterward, I could’ve acted as one of the ship anchors with how full I felt.

    But man, dinner with a view? That’s something else. It felt magical. Angelic, even.

    I just sat there doing my little happy dance, feeling full—but somehow light. Like my soul had loosened up a bit. There was this overwhelming sense of pride that made me feel like I could flood the whole island with it.

    Dinner with a view is just something magical, angelic almost.

    I just enjoyed the food, did my little happy dance and felt light (well, full physically) but my soul was light. There was this overwhelming sense of pride that made me feel like I could flood the whole island with it.

    I will continue writing about my time in Greece in part 2.